GreenArcher85

To ALL:

I am new to this forum and I was looking for some help. I live LA and I am looking at purchasing the GLK350. My current lease is almost up (I am on my last six months).

I need all your input on which one options below I should get.

1. GLK350W2, 4MATIC, Arctic White, Black/Black MB-Tex, 19" wheels and Aluminum Trim.
--> This trim is only available with DEALER1.
--> Last price provided was $33,750 (plus Tax, License and Doc fees).

2. GLK350W2, 4MATIC, Arctic White, Almond/Black MB-Tex, Appearance Pkg, IPOD, and Burl Walnut Wood trim
--> This trim is only available with DEALER2 and best price offered is $34,599 (plus Tax, License and Doc fees).
--> I did counter offer at $34,000 but I waiting for their reply.

3. GLK350W2, 2WD, Arctic White, Almond/Black MB-Tex, Appearance Pkg, IPOD, and Burl Walnut Wood trim
--> This 2WD just came in today and is only available with DEALER2
--> Price offered to me is $33,253 (plus Tax, License and Doc fees).
--> I did countered at $32,800 but I still waiting for their reply.

Just assuming I don't get the price I want (#2 and 3) which ones do you think I should go with.

--> Option 1 is 4MATIC 19" wheels but I really not a Black Interior fan.

--> Option 2 is 4MATIC, Almond Interior, 20" wheels and difference from #1 is $850. I was hoping to trim down the difference.

--> Option 3 is 2WD, Almond Interior, 20# wheels. I believe this is more practical and maybe easy to get SA (Spousal Approval). But if I get it at $3,253 it's just $500 difference and I can get the 4MATIC.


Right now, I am leaning on #1 but if dealer2 agrees on option3 ($32,800). I would pick #3.

Let me know your thoughts on the options, pricing, and best criteria (4MATIC vs 2WD) and (20" vs 19" wheels)

Thanks,
GreenArcher85

scottybdiving

4Matic and 20" wheels, hands down. I have 19's on the GL 320 which was the upgrade at the time. AWD for <$1K, no-brainer. Better to "have it and not need it than need it and not have it." YMMV

NYCGLK

all depends on your driving style. After driving FWD cars I'm fed up with spinning wheels every time I step on the gas to hard when turning or if it's wet. Plus to me SUV w/ no AWD is pointless.

However, if I lived in CA it would be a different story. I would not get GLK all together hehe, but if you want it and really don't need AWD then don't get it.

I'd get 20's for 2 reasons. They are easier to clean because of their design and they come with much better tires. And the look is good also with 20's.

I just don't get why get such a base model. Sunroof in CA is a must esp. the one that GLK comes with. Power tailgate and memory seats (since you have a spouse) is also very nice additions, so I would def get P1. I would also get MutliMedia because of the upgraded sound (but you might not care about this one). Also IPOD intergration without Multi Media package is not that great I read.

scottybdiving

Good point on cleaning the wheels. The 19's on the GL are PITA.

Our dealers here have about 4:1 4Matic vs 2WD. At least in this area, that tells me where the market is. It could effect re-sale value but of course if you are leasing, that's a mute point.

rayenet

Without a doubt, deal #2 is the best option. Sure it's the most expensive, but for a fraction more than the other choices, you are getting more and they are offering you the best discount from the invoice price.

oknish

As long as you are comfortable with the price, get the one you and wife agree upon. Avoid remorse down the road. Drive them all with wife in the passenger seat and then decide.

All the best.

GreenArcher85

Thanks Guys. I appreciate all the advices.

The reason I am not getting all the P1/MM is price and budget. If my wife had her way, I might end up with a RAV/4 so I would prefer the GLK350 minus the sunroof. later, I plan to add on the UMI. There's alo no Pkg that just contains P1.

I will be purchaisng/financing for 66 month (0.99 for 66 months). I plan to own this longer.

Based form the dealerships I called the 2WD are only coming this week that the reason why the statistics are low for the 2WD.

Some Updates: Option 2/3 is out (NOT Available). I did call DEALER3, and he has the following:

4. GLK350W2, Arctic White, IPOD. (He said he can give me price lower that 33,253 - quote with an Apperance Pkg))

So now, I have option1 and 4.
4MATIC (Black Interior) vs 2WD (Almond).



Thanks,
GreenArcher85

webada

so you have to wonder why 2WD are rare to find because there isn't a market for SUV buyers getting 2WD. As other have mentioned, you really have to look at your location. if you live in snowy northen states, 2WD would not have good resale value.

2wd 20" vs 4wd 19" personally I would choose the 4matic.

thoughts: so they are really getting cheaper config in now, even more so with 2WD. couple of months ago, you couldn't even find a GLK without p1 and MM or atleast p1 and UMI.

this could mean an influx of GLK on the roads... 33k vs +40k...

NYCGLK

webada, he lives in LA.

Maybe your wife is right, I'd rather have fully loaded RAV4 or new Venza than GLK with nothing. Or if you really want a benz get a used fully loaded C350. I can understand when people get 3 series with nothing but sports package, there is a purpose behind it. Getting luxury SUV without luxury options and without AWD does not make any sense to me. The only reason I see is being able to say look at me I drive a new benz...that costs the same as toyota, and has half the options.

Not trying to start wars, just playing devil's advocate.

Manback

I would never get a 4wd. I live in texas, no snow ever, will never take it off road, slightly better gas milage, and cheaper repair down the line. Owning a 4wd suv in LA or another place like it where you will never ever use it makes no sense. I have owned a 2wd suv for 7 years now and I tow the boat, take it camping, and have never needed 4wd ever. So saying that getting a SUV without 4wd is pointless isn't true, its all about how you use it.

webada

^^ you said it better than I did. I drove my 528 RWD for years in NYC, even in the snow. Hell, I used to drive a nissan 240sx in many canada winters.

damn, why did I get a 4wd again?

GreenArcher85

Appreciate all your comments. No problem with that.

For me, I want a Mercedes Benz because Drive, Ride and the Handling and NOT because the accesories and luxuries. With the P1 Pkg or not, we just sit down the same type of Driver seats and there no difference in the ride with all the GLK350. I was looking at the 19" wheel and it's not bad looking.

I have really no use for the 4WD but if the price difference is small - why not. My preference now is on the 2WD and the money I saved I can use for other accesories even the P1 or UMI.

My options were based also from what trims are available. However tonight, I spoke with DEALER 4 and I believe I found my vehicle arriving on 04/27 on the dealership. New options again.

5. Base 2WD, White/Almond, Premium 1 PKG, UMI.
--> MSRP is 39,215. Price $36231.
( I would counter offer at 36,00K and aks if he can throw in the cargo cover).

Dealer4 other offer are as follows:
6. Base 2WD Glk350. MSRP $34775, Price $32000.

7. Base 4WD White/Almond, 6 CD changer, MSRP 37245, price $34000.


I will talk to the dealer tomorrow to confirm the 2wd with P1/UMI.

It seems the more I wait, more variety is coming.

Thanks,
GreenArcher85.

MFA

I am about to order the 2WD with the Lightining and Appearance package. In Phoenix I do not need 4WD (I've owned 3 SUV and never used the 4WD). I went with the 20" tires only because I thought the power steering was boosted too much, and hoping the wider tires will provide a more resistive feedback.

webada

I'm pretty sure the more you wait, you will also get 2 months credit back.

check out the c-class deals, I bet that will hit glk soon.

NYCGLK

...so when you floor it on wet or slippery stuff your car won't be spinning wheels haha.

I used to drive FWD with winter tires and never got stock anywhere, but spinning wheel every traffic light just annoys me.

webada

that's better than me, I'm the guy you see with blinkers on, moving 5mph on LIE during a snow day.

Manback

GLK is RWD on the 2wd version

NYCGLK

yea I know...RWD should be even worse in slippery conditions, maybe not as bad as in my case.I didn't have any sort of traction control.

Metallic

After carefully reading and your considerations, I would suggest #3.

NYCGLK

which is not available anymore

GreenArcher85

Updates: I called my dealers and asked that I see the 2wD cars in their lot. So much for 2W options, All the 2WD drive option are not yet on the dealership. I can't wait any longer.

But they are willing to give me good price for the 4WD. I did test drive a Base 4WD, Almond Interior, 19:" wheels, Walnut Trim wth UMI and Rear Entertainment system prep. The UMI Navigation looks good on the 5" screen. I belive I will be going with this option. Love the ALMOND INTERIOR. No choice but to get 4WD with 19:" whehls.

I'll be buying this GLK350 trim tommorow.

I'll update all of you when I get it.

Baby G

Best of Luck, and remember you guys down south of the border and getting amazing deals.

MJ50

4matic and 20s
but keep in mind u'll lose MPG with 4matic...

GreenArcher85

Hi Guys,

As of 04/20/09 8:01 PM PST, I am a proud owner of
GLK350, 4MATIC, Arctic White, Almond/Walnut trim, 10" wheels, with UMI Intall.

The UMI integrates very well with the existing 5" screen, Audio, and Steering Wheel/Display. Got the UMI for $1,200 with the car.

I'll try to get some pics of the UMI, if you're all interested.

As for the 2WD, you can't buy something that is not available yet. They don't sell sunroof alone. Plus, I wanted to still avail of the 0.0 APR for 66 months.

Thanks for all your comments.

GreenArcher85

NYCGLK

Contrats!!! Enjoy it. Is it really 0.0 apr? And 10 inch rims is nothing to be proud of hahahah